Thirteen was built by Intamin. It opened in March 2010.
The waiting queue and loading station are very creepy. Spooky lighting, fake gravestones, eerie music and sound effects, and trees and plants growing up and over the castle facade and loading platform all combine to make this a scary ride. The recurring sound of a young voice singing, "If you go into the woods today, you better not go alone" just adds to the tension before the ride. (The line comes from the friendly Teddy Bears Picnic song, but it is sung here in a very ominous manner.)
The real "Secret Weapon" of the ride occurs in the show building and can't be seen by guests. The building houses a first of its kind surprise that Alton Towers kept secret until the ride opened to the public. I spoil the surprise in the next two pages, so if you really don't want to know what happens, don't read the text on the remaining two pages. On the other hand, it has been over seven years since the ride opened, so I don't really feel the need for a big "Spoiler Alert" before describing what happens during the second half of the ride.
©2019 Joel A. Rogers.